Frequently, the legless lizard is confused with a snake, but it is a lizard in all aspects, as demonstrated by its movable eyelids, the fact that it has an external ear opening, and that it can voluntarily shed its tail to try to escape. Hence its other common name, “Glass Lizard,” due to the popular belief that it can break when handled. After losing its tail, it can regenerate it, although it will hardly ever be like the original.

It feeds on arthropods and small mammals, although its preferred meal is snails and slugs. This legless lizard is usually quite long-lived, being able to live up to 50 years.